If any more proof was needed to confirm the baseball adage that pitching trumps hitting early in spring training, it was offered up Sunday.

In the Baltimore Orioles’ only intrasquad game of the spring, 12 pitchers combined to allow five hits in a six-inning 0-0 tie before an Ed Smith Stadium of empty seats.

The contest, between the O’s and Orioles, was closed to fans, who will have to wait for the team’s Wednesday home opener against the Detroit Tigers. But there were enough positives to satisfy Baltimore manager Buck Showalter.

Q: Who will supply the Orioles’ power with the departure of Nelson Cruz?

A: With Cruz hitting 40 homers last season, the Orioles hit an MLB-leading total of 211, the only team to eclipse the 200 mark. But other players stepped up as well. Adam Jones hit 29, Steve Pearce 21, even Jonathan Schoop added 16. The Orioles will count on full seasons of production from Matt Wieters (5 HRs in 26 games), Manny Machado (12 in 82 games) and Chris Davis (26 in 127 games).

Q: Who will be the team’s fourth and fifth starting pitchers?

A: The Orioles know their top three will consist of Chris Tillman (13-6, 3.34 ERA), Wei-Yin Chen (16-6, 3.54) and Bud Norris (15-8, 3.65). The last two will emerge from the trio of Miguel Gonzalez (10-9, 3.23), Ubaldo Jimenez (6-9, 4.81) and Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.57). A disappointment last season, Jimenez has compacted his delivery, which he hopes will translate into success. And it may be time for Gausman to assume a regular spot in the O’s rotation. Six starters for five spots. It’s a good problem for manager Buck Showalter to have.

Q: Will catcher Matt Wieters bounce back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year?

A: Usually it’s pitchers who have Tommy John surgery, but after appearing in just 26 games last season, Wieters underwent the procedure in June. Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger and Nick Hundley filled in in his absence, but the team unquestionably missed his leadership. The Orioles will take it slow this spring with Wieters, who isn’t scheduled to appear behind the plate in a game until March 17. A free agent after the season, Wieters wants to get to 100 percent and stay that way.

Q: With the departures of Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis, who will play left field and right?

A: Baltimore will use a combination of players to replace the two. They will include Alejandro De Aza, who hit .293 in 20 games for the O’s last season after coming over in a trade with the White Sox. David Lough hit just .247 in 174 at-bats, but batted .400 in July, .333 in August and .357 in September. Steve Pearce, who filled in at first in the absence of Chris Davis, can play the corner positions, and the team acquired Travis Snider in a trade with the Pirates. The team also has back in camp Nolan Reimold, who spent last season with Toronto and Arizona.

Q: Can closer Zach Britton repeat his outstanding 2014 season?

A: After three unremarkable seasons as a starter, Britton was lights out at the team’s closer. In 71 games the left-hander posted a 1.65 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, allowed 46 hits in 76.1 innings and saved 37 games. He wasn’t as successful in the ALCS against the Royals, walking four in 2.1 innings, but Britton features an outstanding sinker and should once again hold up the back end of what could be another strong Baltimore bullpen.

Friday, Feb 27, 2015 11:44 PM

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter watches the first day of spring training for Orioles pitchers and catchers in Sarasota. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

In a word, successful. The Orioles won 96 games, their most since 1997, and won the AL East by 12 games. After sweeping Detroit 3-0 in the ALDS, Baltimore was swept 4-0 by the Royals in the ALCS. But the team posted its third-straight season of 85 victories or better, a testament to its players and the work of Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES 2015 OUTLOOK

In a word, pitching. Assuming the Orioles once again hit — and full seasons from Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Manny Machado certainly will help — the team’s fortunes either will rise or fall on its pitching, specifically, its starters. The group’s performance in 2014 was the major reason for the team’s success.

His home in Sarasota has been sold, making Matt Wieters a former resident.

The Baltimore Orioles, as well as their catcher, probably couldn’t care less. What’s far more critical is Wieters once again assuming this season permanent residence in the Baltimore lineup.

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter, right, talks with catcher Matt Wieters during a bullpen session for Orioles pitchers during the first day of spring training baseball for Orioles pitchers and catchers in Sarasota, on Feb. 20. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The process of moving from permanent to “we’re-gonna-miss-him” happened last season in April, on a chilly night in Boston. Wieters made a throw from his knees. Such a movement should not suddenly make a catcher’s arm feel as if it’s encased in cement.

“I said, ‘Ah, that’s not right,’ ” he said, “but maybe we just strained a muscle and played through it for a couple of weeks, and it just continued to get a little bit worse.”

Wieters got the arm looked it. He discussed the situation with the Orioles’ trainer and noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Wieters, the team’s backstop and backbone, wanted to keep playing, and with good reason.

He could be home, spending time with 4-month-old granddaughter Norah Grace. That's right, the 40-year-old left-hander is a proud grandpappy, and while there will be plenty of time in the future for the little one, there isn't for this.

Another shot. Another attempt to relight the pilot on his big-league career.

"I'm as motivated as I've ever been," Hendrickson said.

No one should doubt the words of the 6-foot-9 non-roster invitee and former Blue Jay, Ray, Dodger, Marlin and Oriole, guaranteed of nothing this spring but a chance.

Motivation is what brought Hendrickson back after being out of baseball in 2012. It's what kept him pitching in Triple-A in 2013, and last season, even lower, for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League. Read more »

Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 3:55 PM

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis charges the attempted bunt by Pittsburgh Pirates' Gerrit Cole during the second inning of a spring exhibition baseball game in Sarasota on Sunday, March 23, 2014.
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

David Price capped his “most productive” spring with a four-inning outing against Baltimore on Wednesday night in the final home game of the spring at Charlotte Sports Park.

“I can’t argue with that,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

The left-hander allowed five hits and three runs with one walk and five strikeouts in the Rays’ 4-4 tie with the Orioles in front of 4,332 fans, the smallest crowd of the spring on the unseasonably cool evening.

Since joining the Baltimore Orioles in 2011, J.J. Hardy has gone deep and driven in more runs than any other shortstop in baseball over the past three seasons, clearing the fences 77 times and collecting 224 RBI.

Despite the luxury a power-hitting shortstop can bring to any major league manager making out his lineup card, hitting the ball far is just part of the package Hardy brings the Orioles and skipper Buck Showalter. Read more »

Alex Cobb experienced all the ups and downs of a regular season game during his outing Saturday against Baltimore.

The Tampa Bay right-hander allowed six hits and three runs in seven innings, striking out 12 without walking a hitter in the Rays’ 3-3 tie with the Orioles in a Grapefruit League game stopped after 10 innings at Charlotte Sports Park.

“Today as a whole was good, because I got into some situations where I had to try to strand runners on third base and also I had stuff working really good,” Cobb said.